I am sure there are many who lay claim to having the best Nana , but for me, I truly can’t conceive of having a better grandmother than our Nana Joy.
Looking back on my childhood all of my memories of spending time with Nana are good..nay great.
From the simple pleasure of a bike ride over to High Street to say hello, where I would invariably leave with a handful of candy or a chocolate bomb ice cream from the freezer (that Nana and Poppa always kept well stocked), to playing candlestick in the back yard, to popping over to say hello the cats, there was never a time where Nana did not make me feel like I was welcome, and expected.
From my impromptu visits in search of candy, to Christmas days spent with the family, Nana was right there at the center of it all making sure we were all taken care of…Looking back, I simply didn't appreciate how much work went into preparing the Christmas meals and making us feel like princes. Despite all the work, effort and care that went into supporting us throughout the years, I never heard Nana complain, except perhaps when Poppa would be forced to search half of Southland source a punnet of good fresh raspberries to go with dessert, or to source parsnips that meet Nanas high standards. To say her meals were restaurant quality would only do a disservice to her cooking. The thing is, it not only that it tasted amazing, it felt like home too, and that’s what will always stick with me. Thanks Nana.
It’s at Nana and Poppa’s that I learned to use a knife and fork correctly (okay, so I may have a little work still to do), to listen and be still (which for those who know me is not one of my strengths), to ultimately knowing and appreciating what an amazing and wonderfully kind, caring and generous person Nana was.
Rest in peace Nana, pass on my love to Poppa, give him a big hug from me, and be sure to give a quick pet to Ginger Tom, Penny, Henry, Carl, and all the others pets we have loved and lost along the way.
Bruce Hook, Denver
